Where The Four Winds Collide
USA Today Bestselling Author
Hildie McQueen
Contents
Copyright
Other Works by Hildie McQueen
Dedication and Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Westbound Awakening
Chapter 2
About the Author
Where The Four Winds Collide
Pink Door Publishing
Cover Artist: Dar Albert
Copyright Hildie McQueen 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.
If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to your retailer and purchase your own copy.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Created with Vellum
Other Works by Hildie McQueen
(In reading order)
Where The Four Winds Collide
Westbound Awakening
BRIDES FOR ALL SEASONS - MONTANA
Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride
Aurora, A Romantic Bride
Lucille, A Lucky Bride
Esther, An Easter Bride
Scarlett, A Summer Bride
BRIDES FOR ALL SEASONS - WYOMING
Sarah, A Festive Bride (Novella)
Christina, A Christmas Bride
Amelia, An Autumn Bride
Laddie, A Lonesome Bride
SINGLE TITLES
Beneath a Silver Sky
Under a Silver Moon
Colter Valley
Patrick’s Proposal (Sensual)
SHADES OF BLUE SERIES
Big Sky Blue
A Different Shade of Blue
The Darkest Blue
Every Blue Moon
Blue Horizon
Montana Blue
Midnight Blue
Montana Blue Christmas
THE GENTRYS OF MONTANA (Sensual)
The Rancher
The Marshal
The Outlaw
Dedication and Acknowledgements
This book is dedicated to Kurt, the best husband ever. This story is for you babe.
I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to family and friends, who have supported me every single step of this amazing journey. I am truly blessed to have each of you in my life.
Chapter One
Widow's Rock, Virginia 1865
The wooden-wheeled wagon of 'Prof. Hargrove's Pots and Potions' creaked its way around a curve on the dirt road near Widow's Rock, Virginia, and although it didn't slow, Adeline Buckley leaped without hesitation. Her hair tore out of its pins and covered her face as she rolled for several feet down the dusty thoroughfare, a tangle of skirts, arms, and legs.
With supreme effort, she managed to keep her billowing dress down at first, but then the garment flew up blinding her. When she finally came to a stop, there was no choice but to lie in the road, the wind knocked out of her. Afraid of being spotted, she fought to free herself from the tangle of clothing while at the same time straining from the effort to breathe. Through it all she managed to keep a firm hold on her small bundle, the pitiful parcel as torn and tattered as its owner.
Adeline scrambled to her feet as her searching gaze scanned the horizon. Waves of heat rose from the hot, packed dirt of the well-traveled trail, but not a soul was in sight. She had to escape -- get away before they came for her. It was foolish to even try to listen for the sound of pursuers because the erratic beating of her heart beneath her breast echoed too loudly in her ears. She placed her bundle down and inspected her bleeding elbows. Skin was torn from her left one -- the angry gash smarted -- and her right didn't fare much better. Nothing could be done for the scrapes, so she grabbed her skirts and gave them a couple of hard shakes. Dirt and pebbles flew in every direction.
The hot wind blew across her face while she turned in a full circle attempting to get her bearings. It had to be the hottest day of the month, which was strange since it was almost the end of summer. Adeline fought to swallow past her parched throat, realizing without water, she'd be at the mercy of the buzzards if she'd made a mistake and jumped off the wagon too early. No people or paths told the way toward town. The road was deserted. Even the salesman's wagon quickly disappeared as if swallowed by the dust and heat waves pulsating from the scorched ground.
Adeline strained to hear the sound of impending doom in the form of horse hooves. The eerie silence did not settle her nerves or give her assurance. No doubt, her absence should have been noted by now, and the threat of her father's wrath overshadowed the pain of her cuts and bruises and forced her toward a plan of action.
The setting sun answered the unspoken question of which way she should run. With a cry of relief, she grabbed up her diminutive bundle and scrambled across the road. Thank God, she'd kept her grip on it while jumping. Her heel hit something -- a large turnip. It joined the other meager possessions in her bundle along with a second one lying a few feet away.
With one last glance over her shoulder at the empty road, she picked up her heavy skirts and raced in the direction of the sunset. She rushed past a grove of ancient oak trees without thought of anything more than the respite of finding freedom. The elusive tingle of hope flickered within her chest, giving her the resolution she'd need not only to reach town, but also to make it to her final destination.
The enormous white house stood alone on the outskirts of town with only a small barn next to it. The open windows waited silently to catch a sliver of the meager, sweltering breeze.
Adeline moved cautiously toward the colonial, eyeing two well fed saddled horses tied to a fencepost in front. Business was slow this early in the day. Rowdy laughter followed by a woman's high-pitched squeal floated from an open window on the second floor, and she hesitated at the sounds, not sure how to approach.
Of all places, this was the one location where they would never look for her. It was also the one place she'd never dreamed of coming to, no less asking for asylum.
Timid steps took her around the side past a clothesline on which already-dried linens hung limp in the stilled wind. Chickens scampered out of her way, their loud clucks letting her know their displeasure at being rousted. The side door in sight, Adeline set her shoulders and moved toward it. She didn't dare go to the front door -- not at this house.
Her knock on the doo
rjamb went unanswered. After rapping a second time, she slumped down onto the wooden steps. Did they know she was there and purposely refused to open the door to her? Where would she go if they denied her entrance?
At the sound of leaves crunching, she yanked up her bundle and leaned forward to search out who headed toward her. A goat stopped short at spotting her. Its unblinking eyes studied her with curiosity, and then the animal continued its trek across the yard.
A creaking noise behind her made Adeline jump to her feet and turn to face whoever the greeter might be. The door had opened just a crack. Kohl-lined eyes studied her from the dark interior for a few moments before the door opened a bit wider, but not enough for her to see the woman's entire face.
"What do you want?" The woman's voice was husky, as if she'd just awakened.
"I..." Adeline stumbled backwards. "I'm sorry... this is a mistake. I should go. Didn't mean to bother you."
"Wait," the woman replied, sticking her hand out from the dimness. "Wait one minute."
The arm disappeared, and a tremble traveled through her. Not sure why she waited, other than the fact there was no other place to go, Adeline remained planted to the spot. A few minutes later, the woman stood in the now wide-open door.
Framed in the entryway stood a statuesque blonde who wore a long black nightgown that shimmered like nothing Adeline had ever seen before. Her hair was piled high on top of her head with a few long loose curls cascading past her proud shoulders. Although she was perhaps five years older than Adeline's twenty-three years, she was regal. Like a queen, she descended the steps, her hard eyes pinning Adeline.
"Can't say you're the first one to show up here in this condition," her voice softer now, yet it kept the husky edge. "From the looks of it, you've really been through a rough spell." Her eyes roamed from Adeline's cut lip to her bruised jaw line only to soften when locking with hers. Heat rushed over Adeline's face. She hadn't considered what a sight she presented.
"My name is Mae." The tall woman held her hand out.
Adeline studied the unblemished, smooth skin, embarrassed to reach out with her calloused hand. Yet she did not want to offend the woman whom she saw as her only hope of escaping the path her father was bent on pushing her down. She took the proffered hand, almost sighing at its softness. "My name is Adeline Buckley, ma'am."
Mae's lips curved and she shook her head. "Ma'am?"
"I mean no offense, miss," Adeline stuttered. "It's just--"
"You don't offend me, girl," Mae took her by the elbow and led her toward the house. "The women from this town don't normally address me so nicely."
Understanding dawned, and Adeline pressed her swollen lips together, not sure what to say.
When she crossed the threshold into the brothel, the dimness of the room was strangely comforting. The aroma of whatever bubbled on the stove made Adeline's stomach grumble, reminding her she'd not eaten since the day before.
Mae guided her toward a sturdy chair at the kitchen table. "Sit. Let me get a cloth so I can get some of the dirt and blood off your face. Last thing you need is an infection setting in." Mae peered out the kitchen window to the backyard. "Now where the hell is Miss Lady?"
As if on cue, a diminutive, dark-skinned woman who looked to be in her sixties entered. She carried an oversized basket brimming with freshly picked green beans and dirt-covered carrots. The woman shook her head at Mae, a smile splitting her face. "Well I'll be, if you don't spot me the minute you come down here, you start with all that bad mouthin'". The older woman gave Mae a stern stare, which made Adeline wonder about their relationship. At home, their housekeeper Betty Lynn barely dared side glances at her father.
"Now, Miss Lady," Mae cooed as she pushed a wet cloth onto Adeline's forehead. "I worry about you is all. I mean it was only a week ago you passed out... out there." Mae motioned toward the window. "You don't need to be outside in the midday heat."
Mae scowled at Miss Lady's loud cackle, "It's close to dusk, Mae Parker, close to supper hour, and almost time for the gentlemen to begin showing up." She took the cloth from Mae's hand and pushed the blonde none too gently toward the stairway. "Now go on up there and get the girls moving. Supper will be on the table shortly."
"Miss Lady will take care of you, Adeline Buckley," Mae told her before giving the colored woman a peck on the cheek. "You're a bossy old woman."
Miss Lady clucked like a mother hen. "Get on now, girl, and stop all this nonsense." By the sparkle in Miss Lady's eyes, Adeline knew she enjoyed Mae's display of affection. Adeline's gut tightened and her cringe got Miss Lady's attention. "What ails you, honey? Beside them bumps, you got pains of the heart?"
"No, ma'am," Adeline replied, this time wincing at the sting when the cloth was rubbed across her bottom lip. "Just the stuff you can see."
Miss Lady huffed and went to rinse the now red and dirty cloth. "You ain't too good at lyin'." She poured Adeline lemonade from a pitcher and handed it to her. She kept a keen eye on her while she guzzled it all down. "Now, let's get you settled. You're going to be sore as all get out in the mornin', but nothin' can be done about it now. I'll find you some liniment to rub on before you go to sleep."
"Is your name Miss Lady?" Adeline asked, following the woman's slight figure down a hallway to a set of rooms on the first floor.
"My mother named me Lady. Mae has always called me Miss Lady and it stuck." They stopped at a doorway and Miss Lady opened the door to show her into a small but clean room. The older woman's eyes were gentle moving over her battered face. "Get you some rest, girl. You don't need to be up and about tonight. I'll bring you some supper in a few minutes, go on and wash up and get into bed."
The tiny room was sparsely appointed but spotless. A single narrow bed, a tall table, and a chair were the only furnishings in the space. Not wanting to dirty the white bedcover, Adeline placed her bundle on the floor. She kneeled and opened it to inventory her belongings. Two plain blouses, a skirt, a thin cotton nightgown, and a knotted handkerchief were her only possessions. She drew out the sleep shirt and laid it on the bed. Next she took her clothes off and folded them with care over the chair. Tomorrow she'd wash and mend them. After all, the clothes would have to last until she could one day afford to buy more.
The table held a washbowl and a pitcher of water, and she quickly put them to use. She washed the dirt of her travels away before pulling the nightgown on over her head. Next Adeline opened the knotted handkerchief and inspected the contents. Four dollars was all she'd been able to pinch here and there from her father over the last few months. Drunk or not, he kept a tight hold on his coin. Adeline lifted a small signet ring, which once belonged to her mother, and studied it in the dimming light. Tears threatened, so she replaced it in the center of the kerchief and tied it once again.
When Miss Lady returned with a small tray of food, Adeline sat on the chair brushing her hair.
"Well, I'll be. You got the prettiest hair I've ever done seen." Miss Lady reached and touched her auburn strands. "It's like bright burning coals."
Adeline flushed. "My father says it's like my mother's. Thank you for the compliment."
"I remember Ellie Buckley; she sho' was a nice quiet girl. After she married yo daddy, I never saw much of her again." Miss Lady shook her head. "Your Daddy took to drinkin' even more after she passed didn't he?"
Not embarrassed any longer at the townspeople knowing about her father's drinking, Adeline nodded in agreement.
Later that night, she lay in the darkness listening to the piano music and laughter that floated from the front of the large house. Conversations flowed effortlessly, the husky male voices mixed with women's softer tones.
During a lapse between songs, Adeline heard the call of a solitary wolf outside her window. The beast's lonely howl brought back her own solitude. As a little girl, she had lost the soft touch of a mother's hand, the gentle whispers of a loved one to dispel her nightmares.
Her mother died after months ailing, which had broken A
deline’s heart. Instead of being a happy girl, she grew up huddled under threadbare blankets, hoping her father wasn't sober enough to hear her if she had nightmares and dared to cry out.
The music began again and along with it the resonance of laughter concealing the sounds outside the window.
Adeline refused to cry as she contemplated how long after her bruises healed would she be forced to join the people in the front parlor.
Chapter Two
Four Winds, West Texas
Jackson Pruitt didn't need to finish counting to know there were at least two dozen head of their prized cattle missing. He yanked his hat off his head and slapped it on his thigh, not daring to speak his thoughts out loud at the moment. They'd come to herd the cows out to pasture and found a large portion of the corral torn down. The animals or an accident of nature had obviously not caused it. Someone deliberately broke the fencing apart to let the beasts out.
From the redness of his partner's face, Jackson knew Lucas Folks hovered on the brink of losing his temper. It was best if one of them kept some semblance of control.
His breath blew white in the crispness of the morning air when Jackson let out a breath and looked to the remaining cows grazing just outside the barrier. "Let's get these critters back inside the fencing, "
Jackson studied the gathering clouds. "Hopefully we have a couple of dry hours before the storm gets here. We can ride out and see if we can find some stragglers. It was still dark when the bastards came to steal them, so some may have gotten away from them."
Lucas jerked his reins, heading toward the rear of the herd. "Whoever stole our cattle may have left some behind in their haste, but it won't be enough for us to make the delivery to the buyer and still have breed stock." The large man spit on the ground, his dark scowl directed at Jackson. "If we don't deliver, we don't eat this winter. Better hope I don't find out who did this before you do."
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